Foundation has not spoken publicly about home that would serve young adults with mental illnesses

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City of Frederick officials will meet again on Tuesday with residents who are concerned about a foundation's plans to open in downtown Frederick a group home for mentally ill young adults.

The Washington, D.C.-based Sylvan C. Herman Foundation plans to open the group home at 107 W. Third St., but has released few details and has not spoken publicly about the project.

Seventy or so residents aired their concerns at a standing-room only meeting of the Neighborhood Advisory Council 11 on Sept. 21. City officials compiled 56 questions after that meeting, and posted them on the city's website, but few have been answered.

Several of the unanswered questions from residents are about the Sylvan C. Herman Foundation, which did not immediately return a call for comment.

Michelle Bowman, the city's community outreach specialist, said the foundation will not respond until it hires a director for the home, though she does not know when that might be.

"I understand that people are frustrated," Bowman said.

She said she is now receiving inquiries from other areas of the city, including Hillcrest, about standards for group homes.

Other questions are awaiting responses from City Attorney Saundra Nickols and Mayor Randy McClement (R), and include such issues as the foundation's obligation to the City of Frederick to demonstrate a need for such a home.

According to Nickols, the City of Frederick has no authority over the foundation's plans because people who are mentally ill are a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act.

Nickols, who is handling residents' legal questions, said federal and state law trump local law, and cited the federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in both public and private housing.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bernard Brown Community Center, 629 N. Market St., Frederick.